Sydney for Families
See also:
Cheap & free Sydney
Sydney culture
back to: Sydney highlights
Sydney has many activities on offer that will appeal to even the most demanding children. Conveniently, two of the leading attractions are located in Darling Harbour, close to the city centre: the Monorail (kids love it) and Tumbalong Park, with a free playground and an amphitheatre for free weekend concerts and open-air drama performances.
The Art Gallery of New South Wales
Holds special family events on Sundays, such as renditions of Aboriginal Dreamtime stories (tel: 9225 1700).
Australian Museum
One of the highlights in this multifaceted museum is Kids' Island - for younger children (toys, animal models and props), and the Search and Discover hands-on section for all ages (animal specimens, both living and dead, microscopes and CD-ROMs). Open daily, admission charge; tel: 9320 6202; www.austmus.gov.au
Centennial Park
Let them burn off that juvenile energy with bikes and rollerblades for hire, pony rides, wildlife walks, and 500 acres of landscaped bush. Created in celebration of Australia's centenary in 1888, and dedicated to "the enjoyment of the people of New South Wales for ever", Centennial Park runs between Woollahra and Randwick, and is the jewel of the eastern suburbs' open space.
Fox Studios
Has two state-of-the-art playgrounds, one for under-fours, the other for 4- to 12-year-olds: ball pits, giant mazes, tunnels, cargo nets, climbing, jumping, sliding and exploring - multi-story funhouse for kids of all ages. The playground areas have tables and shaded seating for parents, along with a huge grassed area for the kids to run and play (Lang Road, Moore Park, tel: 9383 4333).
The Opera House
Runs children's events such as the Babies Proms, which allows toddlers to get close to the musical instruments (tel: 9250 7111).
Powerhouse Museum
Australia's most dynamic museum: children especially enjoy the Kids Interactive Discovery Spaces (kids), with loads of hands-on activities related to the themes in the museum's exhibitions. They explore subjects such as music, machines, life in the home, film and television. Open daily, admission charge, www.phm.gov.au
Rocks Puppet Cottage
Free puppet shows at this unusual venue (in Kendall Lane, off Argyle Street) at 11am, 12.30 and 2pm every Sat and Sun.